Congressional District 15 Representative Poll
Election Day is Agust 23rd.

Who's your choice?

Commander Demetries Grimes is a combat decorated former US Naval Officer, aviator, diplomat. executive, and investor. He has served as Naval Attaché to Israel and Greece, Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow, and adviser to NATO’s Maritime Commander in London, UK. He has completed seven deployments, including two to Afghanistan. https://www.grimesflorida.com

Laurel Lee, former Secretary of State appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is a Republican candidate for Florida Congressional District 15. https://votelaurel.com/

Kevin “Mac” McGovern is a retired Navy Captain and civilian engineer who has served across the globe over decades with the U.S. Navy and has firsthand experience in Foreign Affairs. He has always been a strong America First conservative Republican who believes in America and the American Dream. He has committed and sacrificed to serve his Nation and community for decades and has defended the Republic in every conflict and war during that time.  https://mcgovernforflorida.com/

Kelli Stargel is the Conservative Hero Who Delivers Results.  While our freedom, our families and our way of life have been under attack by the liberal agenda, Kelli Stargel has been on the front lines, fighting alongside Governor Ron DeSantis to defend our conservative Florida values.  https://www.votestargel.com/

Jackie Toledo is an engineer, small business owner, and most importantly a single Mom. Like so many other parents in our community, she is fed up with the liberal establishment in Washington trampling on our conservative values. That’s why Jackie is fighting on the front lines to keep “woke” indoctrination out of the classroom, eliminate any and all Big-Government mandates, and keep our communities safe by securing our border.  https://jackietoledo.com/

I believe Stargell voted for the state gun control passed here after Parkland.

She did.

I'm leaning towards Laurel Lee.  She seems to have a limited government, law and order mentality, and is pretty much aligned with DeSantis on the issues that matter.

Also, this...

Laurel was appointed by Governor DeSantis as Florida’s 36th Secretary of State in January 2019 and served in this position until May 2022. During her tenure as Secretary of State, Lee worked to strengthen Florida’s elections infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses, increasing voter registration and participation, and ensuring accurate and secure elections in Florida. Following Florida’s successful 2020 election, Laurel was recognized as a national leader on election policy and security. She was a member of the Republican State Leadership Committee Election Integrity Commission, a member of the Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, on the executive committee and policy chair for the Republican Secretaries of State Committee, and on the executive board and co-chair of the Elections Committee for the National Association of Secretaries of State, where she spotlighted the success of Florida on the national stage.

Per Lee: https://www.wfla.com/news/politics/fl-sec-of-state-laurel-lee-discusses-congress-campaign/
-Supports Constitutional Carry
-Agrees mental health issues related to, "mass shootings/school shootings" instead of "ban the tool".
-Does not support Federal age restrictions for firearm purchases.
-Does not support universal background checks.

Per Grimes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEOuQPvf6qo
-Called for assault rifle and magazine ban four years ago, but now he retracts those ideas.

I couldn't really find much on McGovern's view on firearms other than, "supports Constitutional right to own guns"  but here's an interview for him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIwnxu1xjuw

Laurel Lee declared winner of District 15 Republican primary.

Hillsborough County’s vote on a new tax to support schools was too close to call late Tuesday. With all of the county’s 448 precincts counted, the measure appeared headed for a recount.
The margin was razor thin, with 50.22% of voters against the measure and 49.78% in favor.
If approved, the tax of $1 on every $1,000 in assessed property value would raise about $146 million a year, with 16% of the proceeds going to privately managed charter schools.



I voted 'No'.  I was a little conflicted on this one.  On the one hand, a bigger budget for charter schools could mean more business for my company, since we sell TV studios to elementary, middle, and high schools in this county and others.

On the other hand, I usually vote 'No' to any tax increases, especially those that put money into the hands of education bureaucrats.

I voted no. My property tax already went up to $7900 this year. I’m not going to willingly raise taxes on myself in a recession. Besides real estate has been booming in Tampa and Hillsborough. Plenty of new subdivisions not to mention all the people who have seen 50%, or in my case 100-105%,  increase in property value even with the higher interest rates who will undoubtedly continue to see their property taxes increase over the next few years. If Hillsborough needs more money they can trim the fat and figure it out.

Throwing money at schools is just counter productive. Proven time and time again that it has no net positive effect on education. Remove your teachers union and promote on merit and the public education system might actually be worth a shit.